Sophomore not pressured by expectation to do more

Kelsi Mahoney admits that she learned a lot during her transition to high school basketball last year.

The Jay M. Robinson sophomore said that’s especially the case when it comes to the importance of being a team.

Mahoney explained that having welcoming older teammates made it easier for her to adjust.

“We felt like a family,” she said.

“The chemistry was really great, and that’s carried into this year – we’re all together. That’s why I think we’ll do so well.”

Fitting in quickly, the versatile 6-foot-1 Mahoney averaged nine points, seven rebounds, two steals and three blocks per game last season to earn All-South Piedmont Conference honors.

“That’s what I came here to do – to contribute as much and in any way I could,” said Mahoney. “I think I accomplished that goal, but this year will be different. I have to step up a little bit more.”

That’s because Robinson graduated six players, including three starters, from a team that won the SPC regular-season and tournament titles last year and will have a mixed amount of experience.

But Mahoney doesn’t feel any added pressure. The 15-year-old, who said that she already puts a lot on herself, enjoys having more expected from her.

“That’s how I’ve always been,” said Mahoney. “I think if I challenge myself, to get that move down or hit that open three or something like that, it helps me out a lot.”

Robinson coach Lin Smithson said that Mahoney has grown up – on and off the court – to become a better basketball player.

Smithson pointed to Mahoney’s confidence is one of her biggest improvements. She added that Mahoney’s shooting, especially from long range, as well as her strength and her ability to finish inside the paint have also developed.

Smithson credits that to Mahoney’s dedication to the sport.

“She’s probably one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached,” said Smithson. “She doesn’t spend a lot of time goofing off in the gym. … She’s very serious about her basketball, but at the same time you can tell that she loves playing.”

The eighth-year Bulldog coach added that despite the attention, Mahoney is humble and easy to coach.

“She’s not a prima donna,” said Smithson. “There are a lot of schools recruiting her, but it’s not going to her head.”

Mahoney grew up as a post player being taller than girls her age, but as they began to catch up to her, Mahoney started to focus on improving her guard skills.

The versatility that she was able to develop gives the Bulldogs a boost. Mahoney likes to look to mismatches – forcing bigger, stronger opponents to guard her in the perimeter and being physical against smaller, faster players around the rim.

Smithson envisions Mahoney playing mostly the power forward position, but she could easily play the other four positions whenever needed. Mahoney doesn’t mind that; she says she puts the team first.

“As long as we win, I’m fine,” said Mahoney.

Smithson notices that, explaining that Mahoney could average 30 points per game if she wasn’t so unselfish.

But that goes for the team as a whole.

“I think the girls understand the importance of keeping the scoring distributed,” said Smithson. “It’s going to make us a bear to defend.”

Mahoney will have help from sophomore Sydni Bickford, who was a part-time starter last year. The guard is known for her shooting, having made six 3-pointers against South Rowan last year to set the single-game Robinson record.

But Smithson said that Bickford has become much more than that, getting better at seeing the floor and running an offense. Smithson added that she’s also stood out with her defense.

Returning starter Madison Fulford, a senior guard who averaged four points, four steals and two assists per game last year, should also help the Bulldogs with her speed.

Tori Neale has been the most improved player on the team, said Smithson. She said that the 5-foot-10 senior is in better shape and has grown faster.

Sophomore guards Amaya Scott and Brittany Vaughters should also contributed, moving up from a junior varsity team that only loss one game last year.

Robinson hopes its size will also be an advantage.

Aside from Mahoney, the Bulldogs will have 6-foot-2 sophomore Ashley Bearden and 6-foot-1 1/2 senior Rachel Cook on its roster.

“That would be one of my worst nightmares: if I walked into a gym and they had three girls over 6 feet,” said Smithson.

Smithson is confident about her team.

“We have all the ingredients,” she said. “This team is really coming together. I think that by the time we get to conference play, we should be in great shape.”